Hosting game night? Get your hands on cool board games or hit up a board game cafe in Singapore with a mighty catalogue.
‘Fess up – who’s still stuck in a rut when it comes to ideas for group activities with friends? Not all of us are outdoorsy enough to go on a group hike together. And there has to be something else to do besides hanging out at the usual brunch spots every weekend. As geeky as it sounds, give board games and card games a chance! Roll the dice and spend quality time with your friends shopping at specialty stores or chilling at board game cafes in Singapore.
Fun board game cafes in Singapore
1. King and the Pawn
Are you sick of hourly charges and just want to play your games in peace? Then you’ll love King and the Pawn. All you have to do is pay a small board game fee and you can stay as long as you like! Yes, even until the wee hours of 1am. The best part is not needing to go anywhere because King and the Pawn also serves up some delicious grub. Spice up your weekend brunch affair with a truffled honey croque madame and a game of Codenames.
King and the Pawn, Level 2, 24 Purvis Street, Singapore 188601
2. Play Nation HQ
Play Nation may be tucked away in a two-storey conservation shophouse, but it’s a veteran in the board game cafe scene. What we love is the affordable packages it provides, with free flow drinks and snacks to boot. There’s even a group package that comes with a private room and three hours of console and board games. It even provides console rentals if you prefer gaming in the comfort of your home, or if you need entertainment at a house party.
Play Nation, 58 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188686
3. Kommune @ 82Soho
Computer, console, and board games? Count us in. With immersive private rooms or cosy living room setups, you’ll have plenty of fun with your friends. If you’re getting tired of rolling dice? Pop over to Tigress, 82Soho’s restaurant concept. Fill your tummies and play a game of billiards to shake things up. Or enjoy Korean karaoke sessions with sound systems from the biggest karaoke company in South Korea. While walk-ins are welcomed, we highly recommend making a reservation if you’re going in a big group to make sure you get a spot.
Kommune @ 82Soho, #03-18, Orchard Gateway, Orchard Road, Singapore 238858
4. Settler’s Cafe
Want to game at home but can’t find the privacy or space? Gather up your posse of board game enthusiasts and reserve a table at this cafe. You’ll be treated to a massive library of games, alongside ample playing space and comfy seating. Also, fuel up on a full selection of bites, coffee and booze from the menu.
Settler’s Cafe, 562 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218178
5. The Mind Cafe
Bored of hitting the same old bars for after-work drinks with your colleagues? Give your liver a break and your noggins a workout at The Mind Cafe. Sit down to classic games like Monopoly Deal and Uno, or more intriguing options like Cutthroat Caverns and Voodoo Mania. Don’t worry about scarfing down a quick dinner before getting here; the cafe features a full menu with mains like beef lasagna and pasta alongside desserts.
The Mind Cafe, multiple locations along Prinsep Street
6. Bg Monsters Cafe
Gaming is for everyone, and you can bring loved ones of all ages to Bg Monsters Cafe. If you’re too intimidated to pick a game, we get it. There are over 350 to choose from! Lucky for you, game masters will be around to help you make recommendations based on what you enjoy playing.
Bg Monsters Cafe, #02-03, 61 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169368
7. Me Cafe & Games
Need a couple of hours to unwind after a long day at work? Then look no further than Me Cafe & Games, with outlets in Tanjong Pagar and Orchard Road. There are multiple private rooms available for board game nights, mahjong (with automatic tables!) and console games. The Tanjong Pagar outlet is open 24 hours, but the Orchard Road outlet has adorable cats roaming about. Which one will you choose?
Me Cafe & Games, multiple locations including Tanjong Pagar and Orchard Gateway
Where to buy board games in Singapore
8. Dueller’s Point
If you’re a Magic: The Gathering enthusiast, this shop stocks up on single cards from the popular card game and exclusive sealed products. Dig around a little and you’ll find board games, popular card games, gaming supplies and, for the hardcore ones, paint for figurines. A board gamer’s heaven!
Dueller’s Point, B1-541, 450 Hougang Avenue 10, Singapore 530450
9. Battle Quarters at Xpidemix
Don’t be intimated by the moniker. While the shop caters to tabletop war games, you can come across cool board games ranging from different themes like medieval, horror and sci-fi. That includes Dune (yes, it’s based on the Frank Herbert novel and movie) and Mountains of Madness. So, are you game to go on a little adventure?
Battle Quarters at Xpidemix, 473A Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427681
10. Team Board Game
Browse through hundreds of board games here to find stuff like party favourite card game Taboo, the ever classic Dungeons and Dragons, and one to prep you for the end of days: Pandemic. The best part? Though it’s not exactly a game cafe, this place also doubles up as a game room where you can book a table to play with friends for an affordable fee.
Team Board Game, #06-07, LTC Building D, 16 Arumugam Road, Singapore 409961
11. Toytag
With over a hundred card and board games on the online store, Toytag offers enthusiasts both variety and convenience. The games on sale include kid-friendly offerings like King of Tokyo and grown-up ones like the Game of Thrones board game. You name it, these folks have it.
Toytag, #04-42, Woodlands Square, 10 Woods Square, Singapore 737714
12. Games@Pi
Tucked away in Midpoint Orchard is Singapore’s largest board game shop. A popular haunt for Warhammer 40k gamers, the smattering of players painting figurines might give you the impression that the shop is purely for more hardcore games. But turn right when you enter, and you’ll find several well-stocked rows of board and card games like Unstable Unicorns and Sushi Roll.
Games@Pi, #03-01, Midpoint Orchard, 220 Orchard Road, Singapore 238852
13. Gamersaurus Rex
Roleplaying games, board games, miniature games, hobby supplies, is there anything that Gamersaurus Rex doesn’t stock? Plus, the staff here are more than happy to help you out in your board game search.
Gamersaurus Rex, 259A Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574386
The next time boredom hits, head to these board game cafes or shops in Singapore for fun times.
[This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2024 by Ashe Liao.]
